Distributor for asphalt and like liquids



5- She'tshSiu-t 1 G. M. ETNYRE lDIS'JLVRIBU'IOR FOR ASPHALT AND LIKELIQUIDS Odi. 14, 1930.

Filed June 1, 1929 QT @Zw Oct. 14, 1930. G. M. ETNYRE:

DISTRIBUTOR FOR ASPHALT AND LIKE LIQUIDS Filed June 1, 1929 3Sheets-Sheet 2 w Q 0 W 3 Q w O Z 7 7 1 5 No n M o 2 W 0 2 ou 5.... In ln... 1|.. 9 l o n 9 l Nlllh. d 5 .1l ||1\| Jul-- a -nz 9.. Z M Z |1|||1|.. y. ZI 3 0 4 u \\\0 |.\.I l T. ..T. I z i. 2 s .G .i Qv o 3 0 mr 1,3 z msw Z www 6 5 d a T n Oct; 14, 1930. s. M. ETNYRE DISTRIBUTOR FORASPHALT AND LIKE LIQUIDS Filed June 1, 1929 SSheets-Sheet 3 Wye/Wr'KUCQM/Zf/@We Patented oci. y14,1930

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The invention ertains i nerallyvto apparatus for applyingpvliquibituminous. materials such as asphalt and similar products to roadways,and more particularly has ref-v erence to the distributing systemthereof.

The general object 'of the invention is to rovide a. machine of thischaracter embodyin a novel distribution system of high efficiency andsimple and practical construc- 1 tion,

An important object of the invention re-` sies in t e provision of a newand improved system for distributing as halt, which system includesmeans for t oroughly drainl u ing, removing, or expelling asphaltmaterial from the system, and principally from the discharge endthereof, at the time the' system becomes inoperative, whereby cloggingof the system by the asphalt is prevented.

provide 'an asphalt distributing system 'in which a blast of heated airmay be forced through the system to expel or remove the asphalttherefrom. p l, Other objects and advantages will become apparent in thefollowing description and from the accompanying drawings, iin'which:

Figure 1 is a rear end view o the distributor truck showing the tank,the distributing pipes and controls.

and intake.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the rear end as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the distributing system and controls,the housing therefor being shown in broken outline.y

Fig. 5 is a dia rammatic illustration of the circulation and dischargesystem of the machine.

In general the machine organization to which the invention relatescomprises a snpply reservoir or'tank having a system of ipe connectionsleading therefrom for distri uting asphalt from'the tank'onto a roadsurface. A force pump isvinterposed in the pipe 'connection leadingfroml the tank, and .a three-way valve controls the flow of Huid in theoperation. of the pump, either throu h the intake pipe into the pump andto te from the system `will be expe led therefrom' l v construction, isu'ovided with' heating means ig. 2 is a detail View showing the pumptank, or; from the tank through and to the distributing stem.,`Thejdistribf uting system is enclose` byfa housin andi means areprovided for a plying heat the interior of thethousing w ereby anyasphalt`` remainingI in the systemv may be liquefied preparatiray to.starting the o eration-of the system. sans is also provi ed .for forcinghot gas or air from the interior of the hous` ing through: thedistribution system imme` diately after the system has ceased operationso that any asphalt remainin undischar bythe current'of hot air.

In practice the distributor comprises a su port which may be a frame; 10adapted to mounted on a motor truck'. 11 indicates' the main reservoiror tankin'to'and"frcm y which the fluid to be discharged is filled and 9vStill another object of the invention is to discharged by operation ofa pump-12. The-4 pump 12 is arranged to be operated from a suitableVsource of motive power; such, forv exa-m 1e, as an internal combustionengine he pump, ,of course, may be operated from the motor truck but theindependent engine 13 is lpreferably employed so' that the speed of thepump ymay be controlled independently, of the speed of the vehicle.

The tank 11, which may be of any suitable in a housing 16 supply. hotgases to said ilues.

The pump 12 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is preferably- .of the positive type andis located almost directly beneath the rear end of the tank 11,

being separated therefrom only by the casing of avalve 17. Said valve isof the three-way type and its casing communicates at its upper end withthe bottom of the tank through" an' aperture 18 (Figs. land 2) and atits lower end with the inlet opening ofthe um 12. An intake pipe19,extendin latera 1y o the frame 10, communicates wit one side of thevalve casing. When the tank is to be filled theouter end ofthe pipe l19is connected to a 1ct) source of supply. The valve member 17 (Fig. 2) ispreferably in the form of a threeway valve arranged, in one positionthereof, to control the flow ot Huid trom the tank to the pump andthence to the distributing system. The valve. in anotherpositionthereof, directs the flow of liquid through the intake pipe tothe pump by which it is t'orced to the tank through connections to bepresently described. A hand rod Ll). operatively connected to the valvemember 17, extends to a position on the machine convenient to theoperator.

The pump 12 is drivingly connected with the engine 13 under the controlof a clutch within the housing 21. The motor or clutch is geared to thepump shaft by means of the gears in the gear case 2:2. The discharge endof the pump 12 communicates, through the medimn ot a downwardly andrearwardly extending flange connection Q3, with headers 24 and 25 whichare rigidly secured to said connection and extend transversely of theframe in opposite directions from the connection. At the outer end ot'each ot said headers there is secured a rearwardly and horizontallydisposed pipe 26, preferably secured to the headers by welding. In eachof said pipes a` valve 2T, 2T is interposed, which is of the three-waytype so as to control the flow of liquid through the pipes 26 and alsoto control the discharge ot' the fluid int-o circulatory pipes 28. 28extending inwardly trom said valves. The flow of fluid through each ofthe pipes 28, E23 is in turn controlled by interposed shut-ott valves29, 29. The inner ends of the pipes 28, Q8 communicate respectively withthe lower ends of a U-shaped circulating pipe 30 which extends upwardlyinto the interior of the tank 11 and is provided at the top thereof witha discharge pipe 31. Each ol the valves 27, 27a coimnunicates throughpipes 31'L1 with distributors or spray bars 32. 32 arranged todistribute an even lhn or layer ot' the asphalt upon the road bed.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the manual means for controlling' theflow through the distributing system will now be described. The valves2T. 27 are provided with upwardlv extending operating spindles 33, 33,respectively, and similar but shorter operating shafts 34, 34 extendupwardly from the valves E29. 29, The operating mechanism is arranged sothat any one valve of one set., and the non-similar valve of the otherset, may be simultaneously operated, and further is arranged so that alloperations are performed from substantially the same point tor theconvenience ot the operator. Thus. mounted on the upper end of one ofthespindles (illustrated in Fig. 4 as being the left hand spindle 33) aretwo Ysimilar hand levers 35 and 36. The upper lever is rigid with thespindle 33, while. the lower lever 36 is tree to turn thereon. The otherspindle 33u carries a short rigid crank arm 3T at its upper end which islinked by a bar 38 to the loose hand lever 3G. This construction permitsthe levers 35 and 3G to operate the valves 27, 27, respectively,independently of each other.

Each of the spindles 33, 33 and the shafts 34, 34a have rigid therewithcrank arms 39, 4U. 41 and 42, (Fig. 4) of which the arms 3i) and 42 arein substantially the same horizontal plane, while the arms 41 and 40 arein another horizontal plane. Rigid links 43 and 44 connect therespective pairs ot crank arms 39, 42. and 41, 40. Thus actuation o1 thelmnd levers 35 and 36 operates the valves 9.5), 25) as well as thevalves 27, 27a.

The operation ot the tluid flow system is as follows: )Vlien the tank 11is to be filled, the liow of liquid. through the .spray bars 32. 32, isprevented by closing the valves 2T. 2T by means of the hand levers 35.3U. ln the closed position of the valves 2". 2T the respectivecirculatory valves Q9, 2S will be open so that there is communicationfrom the pump to the tank by way ot' the inverted U- tube 3() and thedepending pipe 31. The valve 17, between the tank 11 and the pump 1Q,is. during this operation, in such position that the pump operates todraw liquid through the intake pipe 19, in which position of the valvethe aperture 13. between the valve and the tank, is closed. The incomingliquid is forced by the pump through the flange connection 23, theheaders Q4 and 25. the two sets of valves E27-29 and 27a-429. the U-tube30. and pipe 31 into the tank 11. lVhen the tank is full, the valve 17is turned to cut oit' the intake pipe 19 and to establish communicationof the pump with the tank 1 1 through the aperture 18. It' the operationot the pmnp. at thisl time. is continued thel liquid will be drawn t'romthe bottom otl the. tank land returned thereto through the circnlatorvsystem described in the operation of filling the tank.

When the liquid is to be distributed upon the road by both spray bars32, 32, the hand levers 35 and 36 are. moved to the opposite position.opening the valves 2T, 27 to permit tluid to flow through the spray barsand cutting oil communication with the circulatory system. If only oneof the spray bars 32 or 32a is to he used, the operating handlecontrolling the valve 27 or 27 for the desired distributor is moved toopen the valve, thus establishing communication with that spray bar andinterrupting the flow of Huid through that side of the circulatorysystem. Simultaneously, the opposite valve 29 or 29, which controls theflow of Huid through the opposite side of the circulatory system, ismoved to its closed position through the associated crank arms andconnecting link 39, 42, 43 in one instance, and 41, 40, 44 in the other(see Fig. 4).

In use there will frequently occur considerlUU able Vperiods of time inwhich the distributing apparatus is idle as, for example, when thevehicle 1s moving from a loadlng point to a distributing point, or backto the loading point after the load has been distributed. At such timesthe bituminousl material may have a tendency to solidify or freeze inthe pipes of the distributing and circulatory systems and in theinterposed valves. I, therefore, provide a heating means fordistributing heat to substantially all of the exposed parts of thedistributing and circulatory systems. To this end a housing euclosesthe. lower portion of the distributing and circulatory systems includingthe valves 27, 27a, 29, 29n and the associated pipe connections, whichhousing has a rearwardly and upwardly extending communicating portion46. The portion 46 encloses the iiange connection 23, pump 12 and valve17. Within the lower portion of the housing 45 is a radi ator 47 (Fig.4) arranged With one end opening outwardly through a suitable aperturein the rear wall of the housing and having the other end constructed toform a discharge mouth 47 for directing a flow of heated air through thehousing portion 46. Opposite sides of the radiator are provided Withcommunicating tubes 48 for discharging a current of heated air at pointssubstantially adjacent the control valves.

A burner 49, mounted at the open mouth of the radiator 47, heats theradiator and heated air is discharged into the interior of the housingfrom the tubes 48 and discharge mouth 47'1. The burner 49 is preferablymounted permanently at the mouth of the radiator 47 and normally burnscontinuously while the machine is in use. However, if desired aremovable burner may be employed in which event the housing might beheated intermittently. By this construction heat is eificieiitly appliedto substantially every part of the distributing and circulating systems,thereby insuringl that the machine may be quickly conditioned for useand cannot become clogged during use. f

It will be observed', however, that the coni necting pipes 31a whichconvey the liquid from the valves 27, 27a to the spray bars 32, 32 andthe spray bars themselves, cannot be confined in the housing 45, and ithas been found, particularly Where heavy bituminous material is beingdistributed, that there is a tendency for the spray bars and thedischarge nozzles therein to become clogged. Means is provided,therefore, for insuring a complete discharge of all of the asphalticmate- .rial from the spray bars, and the connecting pipes leadingthereto, after a distributing operation has been completed. In this embodiment, such means comprises a connection between a source ofhot air,namely, the housing 45 and the pump 12A whereby the pump may be used toforce hot air through the distributing pipes and the spray bars.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, one end of the housing 45 is apertured toreceive a pipe connection 50 which preferably includes a section offlexible tubing 51. The free end of the pipe connection 50 is arrangedto be connected to the outer end of the intake pipe 19. Preferably the,means for establishing the connection between the pipes 50 and 19 is ofsuch character that the kconnection may be rapidly and easilyestablished. A suitable means for this purpose, as shown in Fig. 2,con'iprises a yoke member 52 straddling the free end of the pipeconnection 50 and pivot` ally secured thereon. The yoke 52 is alsocapable of longitudinal sliding movement relative to the pivotal points,and the free ends of the lugs of the yoke are formed to provide hooks 53adapted to engage diametrically opposed lugs 54 on the outer end of theintake pipe 19. A screw 55, carried by the intermediate portion of theyoke 52, engages an underlying portion of the connection 50 to draw thetwo ends of the pipes 50 and 19 into tight abutment. It is usuallydesirable to have the means for clearing out the distributing systemready for instant use, hence the pipe connection 50 is generallyAconnected to the intake pipe 19, as shown in Figs. 1 and a, immediatelyafter filling the tank 11.

In describing the operation for vclearing` the asphalt from thedistributing system, it will be considered that the machine is justcompleting a distributing operation andthat the operator wishes to expelthe asphalt from the distributing system. At this time the valve 17 (seeFig. 5) and the valves 27, 27 are open to permita flow of Huid from thetank tothe spray bars 32, 32a. The valves 29, 29*1 are closed so thatthe full force of the pump is utilized in forcing the asphalt from thespray bars. The pipes 50 and 19 communicate with each other, and theburner 49 is operating to heat the interior of the housing 45.

At the instant the operator wishes to discontinue further distribution,the valve handle 20 is operated to move the Valve 17 to establishcommunication between the intake pipe 19 and the pump 12. This movementof the valve closes the aperture 18 preventing further flow of asphaltfrom the tank 11. The pump now operates to draw heated air through theintake pipe 19 from Within the housing 45 and to force said air throughthe flanged connection 23, headers 24, 24, pipes 26, valves 27, 27,pipes 31a to discharge from the spray bars 82, 32a. It will be apparentthat heated air is thus forced into the distributing system immediatelyafter the flow of asphalt from the tank has ceased so that all of theasphalt remaining in the distribution system, including the main valve17 and the pump 12, will be completely expelled. Thus, solidifying ofthe bituminous material in the system and spray bai-sis prevented andthe disadvantages resulting therefrom-eliminated.

While it is contemplated that unheated air might be used in clearin thedistributing system of the lighter asp alts, it has been found thatheated air is much more advantageous inasmuch as the heated air tends tomaintain the asphalt in its liquid condition during the clearingoperation, while cold air will in itself'soldify some of the asphalt.The operation of the asphalt expelling means has been described with themachine controls in position to distribute from both spray bars, but itwill be understood that the heated air may be directed through eitherone of the spray bars singly. by merely setting the controls in theproper manner.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the clearing operation may beeasily and quickly accomplished by a single operative movement and thatthe machine parts may also be as readil returned to their original`ositions either or continued distribution or or refilling the tank. Inthe first event, it

f tioned) is not necessary to remove the pipe connection from theintakepipe 19, but if the tank is to be filled, then said connection isremoved and a pi eline from a source of supply is connecte to the intakepipe.

I claim as my invention:

1. A liquid distributing system comprising, in combination, a liquidsupply tank, a dischar 'e line therefrom, a pump interposed in said ine,a valve in said line on the inlet side of said pump, an intake pipecommunicating with said valve, said valve being arranged in one positionto control a flow through said discharge line and in a second positionto direct a flow through said intake' pipe into said discharge line, asource of heated gas, and-means connecting said source with said intakepipe to permit a current of heated air to be forced through saiddischarge line by said pump. v

2. A liquid distributing'V system comprising, in combination, a liquidsupply tank, a discharge line therefrom, a pump interposed in said line,a valve in said line on the inlet side of said pump, an intake pipecommunieating with said valve, said valve being arranged in one positionto control a flow through said discharge line and lin a second positionto direct a flow through said intake pipe into said discharge line, ahousing enclosing arts of said discharge line, means for heating theinterior of said housing and means connecting said housing with saidintake ipe where y when said valve is posito connect said intake 'pipewith said discharge line a current of heated air is drawn from saidhousing and passed through said discharge lin'e.

3..l A fluid distributing s stem comprising, in combination, a'y tank, a'scharge line con.-

, stantia nected to said tank, a pump arranged to force fluid throughsaid discharge line, an intake pipe, a control valve connected to saidintake ipe and interposedin said discharge line etween said tank andpump for controlling the flow of fluid from said tank to saiddischargeline in one position and for direct-ing a flow of fluid fromsaid intake pipe to said discharge line in another position thereof, asource of heated gas, and means connecting said source with said intakepipe whereby movement of said control valve from said tank and dischargeline connecting position to said intake pipe and discharge lineconnecting position immediately permits hot air to e passed through saiddischarge line to expel the fluid from said discharge line.

4. A fluid distributin system comprising, in combination, a tan adischarge line, means connecting said discharge line with said tankincluding a control valve connected to said tank and a force umpconnected to said valve and discharge ine, an intake pipe alsocontrolled b said valve, a housing substantially enclosing saiddischarge line and ump, means for heating the air within said iousing, aconduit having one end communicating with the interior of said housing,and means on the other end of said conduit for detachably connectin saidend with said intake pipeto'per'mit ieated air to be withdrawn from saidhousing into said intake ipe. 5. A fluid distributin system comprising,in combination, a tan a discharge line, means connectin said dischargeline with said tank inclu ing an interposed control valve and force uman intake pipe also controlled by said valJve gas,'a conduit connectedto said source of gas, and means detachably connecting said conduit withsaid intake pipe.

6. A fluid distributing s stein comprising, in combination, a source'ofluid, a discharge line connected thereto, a source of heated gas, aconduit connected thereto, a distributing system of conduits,'a sin 1econtrol valve connecting said discharge ine and said heated gas conduitwith said distributing system and arranged to direct a flow from one Yorthe other to said s stem, and a pump interposed between saidyvalve andsaid distributing system.

In a fluid distributor, the combination of a fluid tank, a dischar esystem connected to said tank for distributing fluid therefrom, andmeans for supplyingl said system with heated gas comprisingl a eatingcasing sub- 1 y enclosing said dischar e system, means for heating theinterior o? said casing, and a conduit interposed between said casin andsaid system.

8. n a fluid distributor, the combination of a fluid tank, a 4dischargeline, a conduit a source of heated `heated gas,

conduit connecting said line rwith a source of a control member interosed between said conduits and said line or selectively controlling theflow from either of said conduits to said line so that heated gas may bepassed throu h said line immediately after the flow of Enid therethroughhas been shut-ofi", a casing substantially enclosing the parts connectedto said control member on the discharge line side thereof, and meanslfor heating the interior of said casing thereby heating said enclosedparts and at the same time providing a source of heated gas.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

GEORGE M. ETNYRE.

